Growing the Economy: AfterWords
By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace
Presented by Omni-U Virtual University
Dr. Asantewaa Oppong Wadie and Dr. Gloria Latiomore Peace in conversation on The H3O Art of Life Show.
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
We live in a society in which the main focus seems to be on "getting." Yet, too little attention is given to keeping that which has already been "gotten." Considering the U.S. Gross National Debt - which is estimated to be around $130 Trillion, the unreliability of and interruptions in the supply chain, and the ever-increasing cost- of- living, sustainability ought to be its top priority, especially for a nation that expects to "long endure."[1]
The most enduring civilizations ever to occupy the planet subscribed to "building for eternity." Hence, the African pyramids remain intact while what remains of Greek and Roman architecture is in "ruins." Yet, despite this historical evidence, one of the cornerstones of the American economy is "planned obsolescence." This is the socially-approved policy of engineering and/or constructing things with built-in "shelf lives." So that, in the event that things don't wear out on their own, they are either disposed of or intentionally rendered out-of-style- by design. This way of doing business not only affects the production of fashions, motor vehicles, cell phones, electronics, etc. But, more significantly, it applies to institutions, systems, and people, more and more of whom are being displaced by robots.
The shutdown stage of the pandemic we recently experienced, appears to have been the consequence of this policy. For nothing can “long endure" that is not also "built to last." Now, almost everything that we've learned to rely upon is on life-support as most of the country returns to "business as usual".
In this case, "business as usual" could very likely mean advancing the tried-and true-business plan" that our Queen Mother, Dr. Margaret T. G, Burroughs, told us in, "What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black?…":
" …And I shall take them into a way back time
of Kings and Queens who ruled the Nile,
And measured the stars and discovered the
Laws of mathematics.
Upon whose backs have been built
The wealth of continents.
I will tell them this and more…In years to come I believe
Because I have armed them with the truth, my children
And their children's children will venerate me,
For it is the truth that will make us free."[2]
The "children" of Dr. Burroughs believed, as did she, that "It is the truth that will make us free." Thus, we have been about the business of seeking and speaking the truth. Ancestor Gwendolyn Brooks identified our business plan, thusly:
"That time
we all heard it,
cool and clear,
cutting across the hot grit
of the day
The major Voice
The adult Voice
forgoing Rolling River,
forgoing tearful tale of
bale and barge
and other symptoms of
an old despond.
Warning, in music-words
devout and large,
that we are each other's
harvest:
we are each other's
business
we are each other's
magnitude and bond."[3]
In "Growing the Economy" Capitalism and Slavery," Dr. Asantewaa Oppong Wadie makes a telling observation:
"Considering that the Pilgrims and other similar persons fleeing religious persecution, came to colonial America with very little money and few skills, we have to ask how Americans managed to build one of the highest standards of living in the world…[?] Americans made their initial wealth by exploiting the labor of Africans in the commodity production of indigo, rice, tobacco, sugar, and cotton."[4]
Our African forebears understood that institutions are in their people and wealth is in their land. Hence, their progeny were taught to "make a living"[5] by "casting down their buckets where they were."[6] Apparently, there were other offspring who learned a different way- perhaps as a result of having been forced to "go out into the world to seek their fortunes".[7] For them, wealth was to be found- not just in their own land and people- but also in the lands of other people and the other people as well. Thus, they have exploited both to such a degree that the question has become not whether this nation can "long endure"' but how it plans to endure. While "sustainability" and "planned obsolescence" appear to be mutually exclusive, it has been a time-honored tradition of Corporate America to practice both, i.e. to sustain itself by rendering obsolete that which is no longer wanted. The good news is that We are the Earth's oldest occupants and so long as We know and understand who We are and Whose We are, We, as a people, have nothing to fear. Our Ancestors were committed to building and living -not "just enough for the city"- but for eternity. As children of The Most High, we can do no less.
" …And his heritage will be his weapon
And his armor; will make him strong enough to win
Any battle he may face. And since this story is often obscure, I must sacrifice to find it
For my children, even as I sacrificed to feed,
clothe and shelter them.
So this I will do for them if I love them.
None will do it for me.
I must find the truth of heritage for myself
And pass it on to them.[8]
Recommended Viewing
Black History Interrupted: The Maafa. An H3O Art of Life Show, Featuring: Dr. Asantewaa Oppong Wadie
Recommended Listening
Recommended Reading
Don Jordan and Michae. White Cargo.The Forgotten History of Britain's White Slaves in America
BlogNotes [1] Abraham Lincoln, “The Gettysburg Address”
[2] Ancestor Dr. Margaret T.G. Burroughs,"What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black?..." ( Chicago, M.A.A.H Press,1968)
[3] Ancestor Gwendolyn Brooks (Pulitzer Prize Winner and Poet Laureate of Illinois). "Paul Robeson" in Blacks. Third World Press.1984
[4] Dr.Asantewaa Oppong Wadie. "Growing the Economy: Capitalism and Slavery" An H3O Art of Life Blog
[5] Ancestor Dr. Carter G.Woodson. The Mis-Education of the Negro.
[6] Ancestor Booker T. Washington.Atlanta Exposition speech
[7] Stevie Wonder. Living for the City
[8] Op Cit. Dr. Margaret T.G. Burroughs. "What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black?..."